Quick charity verification for Bangor Fuel Society (EIN: 16010608)
Verdict: Bangor Fuel Society appears trustworthy
80/100Mission Score
$39KRevenue
$676KAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent deficit spending (expenses frequently exceed revenue, e.g., $76,063 expenses vs. $36,769 revenue in 2023).
Declining asset base in recent years (from $791,438 in 2021 to $728,187 in 2023), potentially due to deficit spending.
Strengths
Strong asset base ($675,822) providing financial stability.
Zero officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Negligible liabilities across all reported periods, demonstrating excellent financial health.
Consistent IRS 990 filing history, indicating good transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Bangor Fuel Society allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bangor Fuel Society
Is Bangor Fuel Society a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bangor Fuel Society (EIN: 16010608) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 80/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Bangor Fuel Society a good charity to donate to?
Bangor Fuel Society has a Mission Score of 80/100. Revenue: $39K. Assets: $676K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Bangor Fuel Society?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bangor Fuel Society is 16010608. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Bangor Fuel Society spend its money?
Bangor Fuel Society allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Bangor Fuel Society's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Bangor Fuel Society's tax-exempt status using EIN 16010608 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The Bangor Fuel Society demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission of providing fuel assistance, as evidenced by its historical financial data. While the organization's revenue has fluctuated over the past decade, averaging around $45,000 annually, its asset base has remained robust, currently standing at $675,822. This substantial asset base, relative to its operational expenses, suggests a strong financial foundation and capacity to weather revenue variations. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, indicating that its leadership is likely volunteer-based, which is a positive sign for donor confidence and efficient use of funds.
However, a notable trend is that expenses have frequently exceeded revenue in recent years. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $76,063 against revenues of $36,769, and in 2022, expenses were $62,710 against revenues of $38,753. This consistent deficit spending, while potentially covered by its significant assets, warrants closer examination to ensure long-term sustainability. The organization's liabilities are consistently reported as negligible ($0-$2), which is excellent for financial health and transparency.
Given the lack of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data, it's challenging to precisely assess spending efficiency across programs, administration, and fundraising. However, the absence of officer compensation suggests a lean administrative structure. The organization's consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a decade indicates good compliance and transparency regarding its financial activities.